AI Damage2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue: common problems
Owners of the 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue filed 108 complaints with NHTSA, most often about exterior lighting and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 108
- involving a crash
- 6
What fails most often
- 1 Exterior lighting 38% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 34% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 12% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 11% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 5% of all complaints
- 7 Engine 5% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
- Exterior lighting: 41 complaints (38% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 37 complaints (34% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 15 complaints (14% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 13 complaints (12% of all).
- Steering: 12 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 108 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 41 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 37 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 12 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained back injuries, which required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the crash. The failure mileage was unknown.
Rollover accident, car was totaled, driver required to be airlifted to the hospital.
I ran up a curb to avoid rear-ending a vehicle and a part called the power steering cooler hose (gmpart # 26074657) was damaged, causing the loss of the power steering fluid and therefore the loss of power steering.
The electrical system of the vehicle is questionable as the car experienced flashes of the headlights, temporary failure of the interior lights, and other electrical issues before the most recent accident.
Consumer noticed that while traveling down hill at 40-45 mph brakes failed, causing consumer to run into threes and a pole. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy.
Sometime the car won't start. After the third or forth attempt the car will start. My gas pedal is sticking now this just start happening. Sometimes I have a time trying to put the windows down. I have to jiggle with the switch a few times in order for the window on driver side to go down.
On one occasion the car would not start until the third crank of the key. This has happened on busy streets with my new 17 year old driver at the wheel. I will be calling a dealer soon. They have to feel some responsibility. I pray no one gets hurt due to this issue.
The first thing that I noticed was the random dimming of my headlights while driving. I have checked my lights, battery cables, and alternator. All are fine. The next issue is that my blinkers sometimes work and sometimes don't.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 3,392 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 9% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Intrigue has 143 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 108, below average.
What to check before buying
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: exterior lighting, electrical system, powertrain. Total complaints: 108. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: headlights and tail lights (31%), stalls while driving (9%), warning lights, check engine (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2001 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.